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The goals of the Institute for Industrial Innovation are three-fold, Lovell
says: to dramatically increase the college’s research links with business and
industry; give students a role in real-world applications of engineering using
state-of-the-art technology as part of the curriculum, and foster economic
growth and development in Southeastern Wisconsin through tech transfer and
industry assistance.
CEAS has invested in new equipment for the Institute in the areas of rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing and computer-aided engineering capabilities that offer businesses the ability to investigate projects without committing a lot of company resources, says Mike Krauski, director of corporate relations for CEAS.
Such collaborative efforts are beneficial for all parties because they expand links with other institutions, such as the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), and create potential for more federal funding.
Modeled after a similar program at the University of Pittsburgh, where Lovell previously taught, the Institute, located on the first floor of the Engineering and Mathematical Sciences building, is a one-stop shop for:
- Fee-for-service work;
- Undergraduate student projects;
- Graduate student research projects; and
- Specialized educational programs for industry.
During a four-year period, the industry liaison program at the University of
Pittsburgh completed more than 500 fee-for-service projects with nearly 100
different companies. Clients reported 226 new or re-engineered products and 263
jobs created in that time.
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Finally, the Institute will give both undergraduate and graduate students unique opportunities to design products commissioned by industries in Southeastern Wisconsin and then display the finished work.
Since students will often be involved, partnerships spawned at the Institute will give industry access to potential new employees who are already trained in industry-specific technologies.
Lovell himself is teaching the first course in “product realization” this semester.
Seven different potential products from six companies will be included in the first group of projects that students will tackle. Companies participating in the product realization course are GE Healthcare (two products); ReGENco LLC; Badger Meter, Inc.; Eaton Corporation; Briggs & Stratton; and
TAPCO, Traffic and Parking Control Co., Inc.
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